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Robert R. Murray III passed away peacefully in his sleep on September 15, 2023, at his home in Charlotte, NC. after a nearly four-year battle with ALS.   Son of Robert (Bob) Roy Murray Jr. and Carol S. Murray, Rob was born and raised in Danville, Va. where he developed two lifelong passions:  Liberty via freedom of speech and basketball, along with all things ACC.   Rob graduated from Davidson College in 1978 with a degree in Political Science and he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He continued his studies at the Woodrow Wilson School of Foreign Affairs at the University of Virginia.

Rob is survived by his wife, Nancy Miley Murray, his three children, Mary Ramsay Murray White, husband Jonathan White, step-son Harris White and a new baby boy due March 27^th of Pelham AL, Robert Roy Murray IV, wife Nikki Murray, daughter Thompson Claire and son Robert Roy Murray V of Santa Rosa Beach FL, and Smith Simmons Murray of Destin FL, his sister Carol E. Murray and husband Michael Mergen of Lake Wylie, SC. and brother William B Murray and wife Pam of Richmond, VA.

As a fitness enthusiast, Rob played basketball several times per week well into his 60’s, often with men half his age.  When no longer able to play himself, he gifted the children in his neighborhood a permanent basketball goal for all to enjoy with a plaque inscribed with his words of wisdom: “Hoop it up!” 

In the last few years, Rob continued to support the notion that a society is only free if its citizens retain the right to free speech and expression.  Along with a group of other loyal alumni, he helped establish the Davidsonians for Freedom of Thought & Discourse (DFTD) an organization dedicated to Free Speech. Rob served on the organization’s Board of Directors.

Nice, Kind, Humble, Generous, Caring, Devoted and Loving are adjectives that those who knew Rob consistently use to describe him. He loved all kinds of music, especially Rock N’ Roll and had a special affinity for celebrating Halloween. You never knew what bush he would be hiding in. 

In lieu of flowers, Rob would have appreciated any donations to go to Davidsonians for Freedom of Thought and Discourse (DFTD).

DFTD is a free speech nonprofit in Davidson North Carolina and checks can be mailed to DFTD, PO Box 355, Davidson, NC 28036  www.dftdunite.org

Or Bainbridge-Decatur County YMCA

1818 East Shotwell Street

Bainbridge, Georgia 39819  

A Celebration of Life for Rob will be held on Saturday, October 7th at 2:00 pm

Simmons’ “Sawtooth Farm” 

2483 Tallahassee Hwy

Bainbridge, GA.